Guo Shao and others followed the army back to the capital.
Along the way he felt very clearly: it is great to be successful and have money. Even though he has not been promoted yet, nor has he received any reward, and the benefits he has received so far are only a little, even this little bit of improvement makes him feel extremely happy.
When going out on an expedition, there were many things in large and small bags, long and short. Even a mule had to help transport the team's tents and other things, which was better than nothing. They had to carry many heavy necessary items, set up camp and leave camp all the time, which was tedious, heavy and unbearable.
But on the way back, Guo Shao and his men had more than 20 horses, so even if they didn't ride so many horses to carry things, it was enough. Moreover, the soldiers knew that he was going to be promoted, so they showed great respect and even flattered him. During the long journey, he was so carefree and light when he led the horses. Guo Shao remembered that when he was in college, he had envied and fantasized about other students who had cars to pick them up at home. Now he seemed to have a sense of satisfaction.
The soldiers of the military governors of various towns were rewarded one after another and then dispersed back to their garrisons, while the imperial guards returned to Tokyo.
Although a few people were punished for their poor performance along the way, more soldiers were rewarded. People were promoted and given money, which was a rich reward for walking thousands of miles and fighting hard. And they could go home immediately, returning home with official positions and rewards, which was extremely joyful. It is rare to have such a wonderful journey in the world. If there is, it can only be the return journey.
When Guo Shao thought of going home, the first person he thought of was Yu Lian. This woman was only hired in name, but somehow, Guo Shao felt concerned about her like a family member, so kind and warm.
If there was no unknown woman like Yu Lian in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Guo Shao would have felt a little lonely and sad at this moment when he saw everyone so excited.
One Hundred Years of Solitude says that when people migrate to a place where their relatives are buried, it becomes their hometown, Tokyo of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. Guo Shao's relatives have not been buried there yet, but there are already people he cares about here. He feels that he is becoming more and more integrated into this era and place, and will slowly become a part of it.
At the beginning of July, the army arrived at Chenqiao Posthouse, only 40 miles away from Tokyo, and the reward for Guo Shao was fulfilled.
It is said that the imperial procession of Lady Weiguo was encountered in front of them. She missed her king and went out of the city forty miles to welcome the emperor. Also accompanying them was Feng Dao, the governor of Tokyo, who said before the war that the emperor was not as capable as Emperor Taizong of Tang. The people from Tokyo brought a large amount of money, wine and meat to reward the army, and Chenqiao Posthouse was suddenly filled with joy, more lively than the New Year.
The emperor seemed very happy and immediately restored Feng Dao's position as prime minister, completely putting aside the past grudges. Zhao Chao, the commander-in-chief of the Control Cranes Army, had said the wrong thing when advising the emperor before the war, so he was stripped of his military power and imprisoned in Huaizhou. He was released when the army passed through Huaizhou on its way back, and was reinstated at this time, unharmed.
Then the emperor could not wait to appraise the merits of the soldiers at Chenqiao Posthouse, and a large number of meritorious soldiers received satisfactory rewards. When Guo Shao received the news, he was extremely surprised by his reward: he was promoted to the position of Inner Palace Guard Du Yuhou.
The first to receive the news were the senior generals who were qualified to enter and leave the emperor's central army camp. Before the generals of the small army had time to come to inform Guo Shao to go to see the emperor, Xiang Xun arrived first.
This time, Xiang Xun did not send someone to invite Guo Shao like he did in previous meetings, but went to Xiaodi military camp to look for him in person.
Lian Xiangxun, the chief of the inner palace guards, was very excited, and his bony face was full of emotion. When Prime Minister Wang Pu recommended it, Zhang Du, the commander of the palace, agreed. Shi Yanchao also said something human. Even the queen was right. The emperor said in public that he wanted to make Madam Weiguo the queen. The queen also spoke for you. At that time, the queen was sitting next to the emperor and said something softly. I didn't hear it clearly, but it must be a good word.
It was completely beyond my expectation. The Neidianzhi was organized at the level of an army. There were not many people, but they were the emperor's personal army. They could do any meritorious service under the emperor's nose. In short, it was a very good job.
What commander? That's too far from the truth. Usually, there are left and right wings under the army, and the commanders of the wings are all at the level of commander-in-chief; below the wings are the commanders and the chief military officers, which is a title equivalent to the deputy chief.
In Guo Shao's opinion, the Inner Palace Guard Du Yuhou is like the deputy commander of a trump card army under the direct command of the Central Army. He will only be 19 years old this autumn, and it is unimaginable for him to be a deputy commander at such an age in modern times.
Those who came from warlord families, whose fathers were kings, such as Fu Yanqing, had served in positions such as Nei Dian Zhi Du Yu Hou. Guo Shao's background was really not easy.
Guo Shao was a little out of control, slapping his thigh and saying: Hey, I owe you all a huge favor, I can't repay it in my lifetime
Xiang Xun laughed and said: "It can't be said completely like this. Some people, even if someone recommends them, are useless. Who can help them? This is also inseparable from the fact that Guo Yuhou was the bravest among the three armies and made extraordinary achievements."
Guo Shao clasped his fists and said: Brother Xiang, if you don’t mind, I will call you brother from now on.
Xiang Xun laughed again: "Okay, Brother Guo!"
The two of them talked happily, and Yang Biao and other brothers and soldiers stood beside them, and no one dared to speak casually. Even Yang Biao, who was unruly at the beginning, now had a look of worship in front of Guo Shao. The power of power is something that ordinary people cannot resist.
After a while, Guo Shaocai calmed down a little and asked casually: "Can the queen still speak on military and political affairs?"
Xiang Xun said disapprovingly: "Brother, you don't know that the soldiers all respect the queen of the Fu family. When the emperor is happy, it's fine. But when he gets angry, he will just drag out and beat anyone he doesn't like to death. That's easy. When the queen was still the wife of Weiguo, she often advised the emperor to treat the soldiers well; the emperor also listened to her. Who wouldn't respect such a virtuous and generous queen?"
Xiang Xun pondered for a moment before softly saying: Prince Wei gave birth to a beautiful daughter.
Guo Shao understood immediately. In fact, when fighting the Liao army in Xinzhou, Xiang Xun was probably also resentful towards Prince Wei, but he just didn't say it.
Guo Shao hesitated for a moment and couldn't help asking: There was a general named Zhao Kuangyin who came to commend me in Gaoping, but I don't know if he was rewarded.
Xiang Xun glared and said: During the Battle of Gaoping, Zhao Kuangyin was by the emperor's side, and that was the merit of saving the emperor. Those people at that time, let alone the military generals, Ma Renyu of the Inner Palace was just a soldier. He shouted "The lord is humiliated and the minister is dead" and shot fiercely, rushing forward without caring about his life. As soon as the Battle of Gaoping was over, he was immediately promoted to the commander of the Archery and Crane Controlling Direction. I didn't know who Zhao Kuangyin was before the war. There were so many officers in the Imperial Guard, how could I know who was who? But now I'm sure everyone knows him, and he has been promoted again and again, and he should be appointed as the commander of the Palace Guards.
There are many types of Du Yu Hou, which means deputy commander, including Dian Qian Du Yu Hou, Jun Du Yu Hou, Xiang Du Yu Hou, etc. Zhao Kuangyin's Du Yu Hou was from Dian Qian Si, which was equivalent to a military commission and had many armies under its jurisdiction. Dian Qian Du Yu Hou was obviously higher than Nei Dian Zhi Du Yu Hou, but Zhao Kuangyin had not been officially appointed yet and was only a reserve.
According to Xiang Xun, Zhao Kuangyin was just an unknown officer before the Battle of Gaoping, and his position was probably not high. In just a few months, he was promoted to the reserve team of the empire's highest-ranking generals. It can be said that he rose to prominence at a rapid pace. I think it was because he was good at seizing opportunities. The defeat at the beginning of the Battle of Gaoping almost ruined the entire country in a battle. Zhao Kuangyin's meritorious service beside the emperor can really be regarded as a merit of saving the emperor. It is hard not to be rich and noble for such a great merit as saving the emperor and supporting the emperor. Zhao Kuangyin is still more powerful and deserves to be the talent of the founding emperor.
Of course Guo Shao wanted to save the emperor, but he didn't have the chance. If he had the chance in front of the emperor, and if Zhang Yuanhui of the Northern Han Dynasty had rushed directly to the emperor's face, it would have been amazing if he had shot him to death with one arrow. Although it can be barely considered a credit for saving the emperor, the emperor did not feel the pressure from Zhang Yuanhui directly, and he only heard about shooting Zhang Yuanhui from others. Fortunately, there were people who kept saying it, and the situation was completely different.
At this time, someone outside the tent called Guo Yuhou again. Guo Shao and others went out to see that a general had come to report the news. The general had a smile on his face, but when he saw Xiang Xun, his smile faded immediately. It seemed that someone had got there first and reported the good news.
The general came forward and exchanged a few words, introduced his name, etc. Xiang Xun said: I will take my leave first, and I will see you later.
Guo Shao hurriedly bowed and said goodbye.
He immediately went to the central camp of the imperial guards to meet the emperor together with the general who had brought the news.
Guo Shao was far away from the central army, and by the time they arrived, many of the rewarded generals might have already arrived. Because outside the big tent with the Zhou Dynasty flag erected, there were two rows of weapons on the sword rack, and Guo Shao had almost no place to put his sword after taking it off.
As soon as I entered the tent, I saw that the civil and military officials were standing on both sides, and there were many people. Someone in front shouted: "Inner Palace Guard General Guo Shao is here to see you."
Guo Shao hurriedly bowed and walked forward. At a glance, there was no one around him he knew. Maybe Zhang Yongde was among them, but Guo Shao had never seen him. He wanted to see him last time, but he didn't. Then Guo Shao sorted out the relationship: Zhang Yongde and he couldn't have any relationship in the past, and there is no relationship now. He guessed that Zhang Yongde's care was entirely because of a favor from Queen Mai Fu. It doesn't mean that he treats you as his own because he has taken care of you; you still have to distinguish clearly.
On the contrary, Xiang Xun, whose status is far inferior to Zhang Yongde, is someone you can make good friends with. Zhang Yongde is much more powerful than Xiang Xun, but no one wants to see him, so it is obvious that his friendship is not as sincere as Xiang Xun's.
In the big tent, Zhao Kuangyin was not found for the time being. Guo Shao recognized the military version of the black-faced Bao Qingtian. The main reason was that Guo Shao did not dare to look around at this time, so he did not dare to take a closer look.